The Vorderburg, which today houses the castle museum and the ballroom of the town of Schlitz, was built in its current form between 1565 and 1600. Its origins go back to the central Romanesque residential tower from the Middle Ages (the base of the tower was built before 1181). The core of the east wing is medieval, while the west wing was built around 1600. Various construction phases can be seen in the central, former residential tower. A porch consisting of an altar and stair tower, traces of which can still be seen, was demolished in 1812, and the late Gothic portal of the stair tower is now located in the garden exit of the Vorderburg tower. The narrow and rear sides of the two wings of the massive building have Renaissance gables. The tower roof dates from the 16th century. A wooden, partly baroque staircase leads to the various floors. The portal decorated with coats of arms from 1565 could be the work of Philipp Soldan from Frankenberg. In 1950, a chime system consisting of 26 bells was installed in the tower roof, which can be operated both electronically and manually. According to the wishes of its founder, Count Otto Hartmann von Schlitz, this carillon is intended to promote international understanding. At 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., folk songs from different nations can be heard over the roofs of the city on a weekly rotation.